Make these New Year resolutions for 2018 now!

Another year has passed us by, and 2018 is just around the corner. It’s a time to take stock of your life, to herald in new beginnings and to change what is undesirable, to improve your life in many ways. Here are some resolutions, which you should definitely try and make this year, which go beyond just getting a gym membership!

Stop: Procrastinating While it’s tempting to do absolutely nothing, or waste time once in a while, remember that every moment is fleeting. Make the most of it, use it wisely. Start: Meeting more people Both on the personal and professional front, get out there and meet more people – whether it is reconnecting with old college friends or meeting new business acquaintances. We spend so much time with our smartphones, that we forget to connect with people.

Stop: Stressing Stress seems to be a major factor taking over our lives these days, and the single most important reason for this, is that we can’t handle it when little things don’t go our way, and we can’t take it in our stride. Don’t sweat the small – or big – stuff. Breathe deeply, focus on the good things of life, and don’t take problems to heart.Start: Sleeping Follow an eight hour sleep pattern everyday (ideal timings are 10pm to 6am), and watch your mental and physical health improve drastically. What’s more, following a schedule will set the tone for the next day, and you’ll be a lot more disciplined.

Stop: Excessive TV/iPad time Sure, we all love our smartphones and smart TVs, but the fact of the matter is, we need a break from them before we end up with wrist problems, or worse – smartphone blindness. Dedicate a few hours a day where you switch off all gadgets and spend time without technology. Or better still, do a day’s digital detox every Sunday with just family and no phones around!Start: Reading more physical books Put away the kindle or the iPad and read physical books more often. This helps you focus, and is better for your eyes. Often, when you’re reading a book on a digital forum, you can’t resist the urge to open another browser, look up something else, or scroll through your Facebook feed. Reading physical books ensures you don’t – and can’t – give into that urge, and are forced to concentrate.

Stop: Acquiring meaningless possessions See a pretty 12-piece tea set online? Or a cotton candy machine that you must have? Resist the urge to buy it if it’s something you won’t use on a day-to-day basis. It’s tempting to own pretty things, but in the quest to satisfy our material needs, we are forgetting to say no to temptation. Start: Opting for ‘need’ over ‘want’ Figure out what you ‘need’, keep it minimalistic. So if it’s clothes, focus on a few quality clothes and key pieces that you’ll wear everyday. If it’s crockery, don’t hoard till your sideboards are groaning. Not only will you save a lot of money, your whole frame of mind will feel decluttered and you’ll be in a happy space.

Stop: Eating out often If you’re eating out, try keeping it down to social or business meetings that cannot be avoided. Don’t go on a binge fest otherwise – and this applies to takeaway too!Start: Cooking at home Cooking at home has three benefits - it's therapeutic, cost-effective and healthy. You know what ingredients you’re using, and what you’re putting inside your body. Need we say anymore?

Stop: Being unhappy It’s easy to find fault with what we don’t like about our lives, and believe that everyone else with their glossy social media posts have it so much better than us! Don’t fall into the trap. Instead, write down three things everyday that you have to be grateful for – good health, the clothes on your back, the roof over your head, food on your plate, access to education, a loving family and so on. You’ll find yourself happier.Start: Volunteering for causes Stop focussing so much on the self, and instead focus on giving back to society. Volunteer for a cause that’s close to your heart. Whether it is for stray animals, young orphans, old people or victims of natural calamities, find a cause that brings you satisfaction and spend time at least once or twice a week with it. You’ll feel that much more fulfilled.